Merry Eden: Doms of Club Eden, #8

By LK Shaw

Even with stockings hung, wish-lists made, and the tree decorated, I still can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit. A weekend at Club Eden is just the distraction I've been needing.

Except, what's supposed to take my mind off my hidden pain turns into facing exactly what I've been avoiding.

Tears are shed, layers are peeled back, and truths are told, but once it's all said and done, Gareth is still by my side.

And lucky for him, I have one more present to give.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LK Shaw
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215559031

LK Shaw

LK Shaw is the bestselling author of sexy, sinful suspense. She resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with dark romance and romantic suspense being her favorite. LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love. Want a FREE short story? Be sure to sign up for her newsletter and download your copy of A Birthday Spanking, a short story set in the Doms of Club Eden world! http://bit.ly/LKShawNewsletter

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Livvie

Chloe, it’s time for breakfast, I hollered for our five-year-old daughter as I leaned back around the refrigerator door. 

She’d been holed-up in her blanket fort—reading—the last time I’d checked on her. 

I closed the fridge and carried the orange juice to the table, where the scrambled eggs and bacon were quickly cooling. Strong hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me against a hard chest. Gareth’s lips nuzzled the crook of my neck, and I sighed, sagging into his embrace. 

Good morning, gorgeous, he murmured against my flesh. 

I pivoted to face my husband and looped my arms around the back of his neck, rising up for a kiss. He tasted of mint toothpaste, and the scent of his cologne wafted around me. Reluctantly, I lowered my heels, breaking away from him. Good morning, yourself. I don’t suppose you managed to run into our daughter on your way in here, did you?

Must still be hiding. You know how she gets—so lost in her books that she ignores everything around her. A habit she gets from you, you know? He tapped my nose. I’ll go get her. 

I slipped from his hold while he went to track down our missing child. A wave of grief washed over me, and I staggered. My hands went to my stomach, and I swallowed down the nausea. Don’t do this. Not now, I begged. Quickly, I pulled myself together, because only minutes later, the two of them strode into the kitchen, Gareth with a grin on his face and Chloe with a forlorn expression on hers. I wrapped her in a hug, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. Good morning, love. It’s time to eat. 

Morning, Mama. I was just getting to the good part, too. She huffed a bit but took her seat at the table. Even the fear of missing a meal—not that I’d let her—didn’t pull her attention away when she was engrossed in a book. 

Gareth sat next to her, and I joined them. I forced my gaze to drift out the window toward the gray, overcast sky, instead of to the empty space where Chloe’s high chair used to sit. Finally, after I felt more in control of my emotions, I shifted it back to my family. The weatherwoman said we might actually have snow on Christmas this year. 

Living in the south, it was rare to see snow, especially a measurable amount. At least not longer than for a day or two before it quickly melted away.

Gareth’s eyes met mine. Do you remember your first white Christmas? he asked, with a sly grin.

I certainly did. It was the first one I’d spent with you and your parents. That was the week of a lot of firsts, actually. My first plane ride. My first time making a snowman. My first time eating snow cream.

What’s snow cream, Mama? Chloe piped up. 

Gareth mock gasped. How have we not introduced this child to snow cream yet? 

She and I giggled at the exaggerated expression of affront on his face. 

It’s a mixture of fresh white snow, sugar, milk, and vanilla, and it tastes just like ice cream, I answered her.

That sounds yummy, Chloe exclaimed with wide